Cotton harvesting machine



Feb. 23, 1954 T, L KINNE COTTON HARVESTING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 7, 195o ooo c o o oaaoao ooooo 000GB cocon oaoooo aoooo oouooo cocoa oooooo ooaao oooooo ooooo n. J0! nonooo sono oonooo ooeoo /0 onoouu ooaoo 9 oooooo ooooo oooooo ooooo oooov 066Go l oaooo Il uvuoo oocooo uooooo Feb. 23, 1954 T KINNE 2,669,822

COTTON HARVESTING MACHINE QTTOEW /s Feb. 23, 1954 T. l.. KINNE 2,669,822

COTTON HARVESTING MACHINE Filed April '7, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 YZ 0 Y 7 /E *-6 5g 74 /A/l/fA/ro Patented Feb. 23, 1954 COTTON HARVESTING MACHINE Tempel Leroy Kinne, Dallas, Tex., assigner tof John E. Mitchell Company Dallas, Tex., a corporationof Missouri Application April 7, 1950', Serial No. 154,510

(CI. 56E-12) 12 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to the harvesting machine art and more particularly to a novel cotton harvesting machinev foruse in those sections of thefnited States where, the cotton plant is small, and contains very few limbs and relatively little foliage.

In one form, the cotton harvesting machine includes a suction pump supporting framework which is adapted to be supported on a light truck or the like, and a picking mechanism housing which is fastened to the framework at the rear and to one side thereof. The housing contains a pair of wheels adjacent the rear end 'thereof whereby it can be moved over a row of cotton plants. A pair `of spaced brush supporting cylinders, with brushes mounted thereon, are rotatahly mounted adjacent the front end of the housing, the brushes being arranged in a spiral about each cylinder. The cylinders are rotated simultaneously from a power take-off adjacent the rear axle of the truck through a series of gears and a shaft. The cylinders are disposed at an angle so that when the cotton plants pass between them, the brushes strip the cotton from the plants and hurl it upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. A perforated plate extends across the upper end of the housing and deiiects the hurled .cotton downwardly and rearwardly toward a sump at the rear of the housing, but permits dirt and some leaf trash to pass through the openings into the atmosphere. A suction pump and mechanism for driving it are mounted on the framework, and an inlet conduit extends from the pump into the sump for removing the cotton from it. An outlet conduit conveys the cotton from the pump to a point removed from the housing.

It is a well known fact that there is a great deal of difference between the cotton plants in the various parts of the United States. For example, in the Mississippi delta the foliage growth is very luxuriant so that in order to use fa mechanical harvester, it is necessary to have one `which contains spindlesA which are carried `into cotton plants during the harvesting operation.

its

Another object is to provide a novel cotton harvesting machine which employs a tractor or light truck as its prime mover.

Another object is to provide a novel cotton harvesting machine which contains cotton stripping means which are driven from a power takeoit adjacent the rear axle of the prime mover.

Another object is to provide a novel cotton harvesting machine which contains means for removing a portion of the dirt and leaf trash from the cotton after it has been picked and. While it is yet in the machine.

Another object is to provide a novel cotton harvesting machine which employs a pair of spaced rotating crushes to strip the cotton from plants guided between them.

Another object is to provide a novel cotton harvesting machine which contains means for progressively stripping `cotton from the top of a plant, downwardly toward the bottom thereof.

Another object is to provide a novel cotton harvesting machine which contains means for continuously transferring the cotton from the harvester while it is in motion, to a cart or truck following it.

Another object is to provide a novel cotton harvesting machine which is exceedingly simple in construction and which has relatively few moving parts.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being `had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a harvesting machine constructed in accordance with the 'teachings of the present invention, the prime mover being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the machine taken Afrom the right of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View of the machine taken from the left of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 4--4 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a plan view, partly in section, of a brush cylinder supporting frame included in the picking mechanism; and

Fig. `6 is a vertical transverse sectional view takenon the line 6-6 in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, l0 indicates generally a cotton harvesting machine embodying the teachings of `the present invention, shown used with alight truck` l2 as its prime mover.

The harvesting machine I0 includes a rectangular shaped framework Ill whichis vremovably positioned on the rear portion of the truck body i2 so as to be supported thereby, and a picking mechanism housing i5 which is positioned at the rear and to one side oi' the framework l2 (Fig. 1) The framework Ill includes a pair of longitudinally extending structural angle members I8 adjacent the sides of the truck body and a plurality of spaced transversely extending members fastened to said members i8.

A gasoline engine 22 is supported on several of the transversely extending members 20 adja" cent one side of the framework iti, and contains a pulley 2d. A suction pump 26 is mounted on the transversely extending members 2@ adjacent the other side of the framework lil directly opposite of the gasoline engine 22, and contains a pulley 2B.

Extending between the pulleys 211 and 28 is a continuous belt 30 whereby the suction pump 26 can be driven by the gasoline engine 22, for a purpose to appear.

Fastened to the transversely extending members 2li adjacent the rear end of the framework llt are a pair of journal bearings 3i which rotatably support a drive shaft t2 which extends transversely in front of the picking mechanism housing iii.

A sprocket gear 3d is xedly mounted on the drive snart s2 adjacent the center o1 the framework Ni. A continuous chain belt Sii extends downwardly from the gear 34 to a power take-off t3 (Fig. 2) adjacent the rear axle of the prime mover l2, whereby the shaft 32 can be driven from the truck l2.

The front end of the picking mechanism housing i6 is fastened to the framework it and its rearr end is supported by a pair of wheels (it. A bracing strut 4i extends diagonally between the framework i and the housing i5 (Fig. l).

The housing I6 contains opposed vertical side walls cl2, a vertical rear wall 44, and a concave bottom wall #it (Fig. 2) which forms a well or sump 46 (Fig. 4) to receive the picked cotton.

A rectangu1arshaped perforated plate 49, pref erably curved, covers the top of the housing i6. The openings in the plate (i9 are of a size to permit dirt and some leaf trash to pass through but to prevent the cotton from passing through them.

A rectangular-shaped brush cylinder supporting frame 5t (Fig. 5), which is formed from channel-shaped structural members, is fastened adjacent the open front end of the picking mechanism housing i5 in an oblique position, the frame 5t extending downwardly and rearwardly toward the rear end of the housing. The supporting frame 5t contains side members 52, a top member 5d and a bottom member 56. The top and bottom members 54 and 55 contain aligned openings 58. Bearing plates 60 containing openings therein are fastened to the said members adjacent the openings 58 by bolts 62.

A pair of spaced brush supporting cylinders 64 are rotatably supported within the frame 50. The cylinders 64 have shafts E6 extending from the ends thereof which are journaled in the bearing plates 6G. The shafts 66 at the upper ends of the cyliners 6d extend beyond the top member 5A and contain bevelled gears 68 fastened adjacent their ends.

Spaced journal bearings itl are fastened adjacent the top member 54 and rotatably support that portion of the drive shaft 32 which extends in front of the picking mechanisrnhousingl I6 (Figs. l` and 2).

Bevelled gears 12 are fastened on the drive shaft 32 in front of the housing I6 and mesh with the bevelled gears 58 so as to simultaneously rotate the brush supporting cylinders 64 in the directions indicated in Fig. 6.

A series of outwardly extending linger-like members such as brushes 'h1 (Fig. 5) are supported on the surface of the cylinders 64 and extend outwardly normal thereto. The brushes 14 are preferably made of wire or like resilient material so that they will yield and return to their original position after striking an unyielding object without suering permanent damage. The brushes 14 are spaced around each of the cylinders 615 in the form of a spiral so that they sweep downwardly over the cotton plants when the harvesting machine l0 is in operation, as will appear. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the cylinders 64 are spaced apart so that there is a passageway 16 between the tips of opposed brushes 14.

Shield members i8 (Fig. 6) are fastened to the side members 52 of the supporting frame 5t and extend downwardly and inwardly therefrom below the brush supporting cylinders B. Each shield member 'it includes an inner arcuate portion t0 and an angular outer portion which has a flat inner surfaces and a fiat outer surface 86.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the arcuate portions 60 extend substantially the full length of the side members 52, whereasl the angular outer portions Bil-85 terminate a predetermined distance short of the lower end of the side inembers 52.

Elongated stalk guides 88 are fastened to the arcuate portions 2t adjacent the lower ends thereof and extend downwardly and forwardly to a point a short distance above the ground. The stalk guides 68 are made of resilient material and contain a runner portion at the free end thereof so that they will yield whenever they strike a mound of earth or a similar obstacle.

The baille plate 49 on top of the picking mechanism housing IB contains a circular opening 92 i adjacent the rear edge thereof which is directly above the sump 46 (Fig. 4).

An inlet conduit 94 extends from the sump 48, upwardly through the opening 92, and then horizontally to the inlet side of the suction pump 26. Extending from the outlet side of the pump 26 is an outlet conduit 9B which leads to a receiving cart or truck which follows, or is pulled by the prime mover I2.

In operation, the gasoline engine 22 drives the suction pump 26 through the continuous belt 30 so that a vacuum is created adjacent the open end of the inlet conduit 94.

Also, the drive shaft 32, which extends in front of the picking mechanism housing I6, is driven in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4, from the power take-off 38 through the chain belt 36.

When the drive shaft 32 is rotated, the brush supporting cylinders 64 are driven through the bevel gears 'I2 and 56, whereby the bottoms of the cylinders 64 rotate toward each other and then upwardly.

As the picking mechanism housing at is driven over a row of cotton plants from which the cotton is to be removed, the plants are guided into the passageway 16 between the ends of the rotating brushes 14 by the stalk guides 88 and the inner surfaces 84 of the shield members 76.

The upper end of the plant is rst contacted by the brushes 'I4 adjacent the upper ends of the "cylinders itk-ana, Afestin@ plant continues to pass *through "the passageway "i6, JAthe brushes nsweep "downwardly over the plant due tojthe `inclination ""f the brush "supporting ylindersVM and the' splfr'alling position ofthe brushe'sl'M arour'id each of the cylinders.

A The rotating brushesjl' sweep the cotton olf 'of the'plarlt stalks on each iside'thereofy and hurl 'it'upwardly and irearwardly 'against the perforiatodjltal'blate '49; caushgsome of the 'dirt and lleaf trash to pass l"through `Athe openings in lthe plate 49, into the'- atmosphere. rIhe openingsin *the plate f749fiare notflarge enough -to permit the "cottonto lpass through `V`4them, fhowever, so A"that it `willfall"ontothe brushes -14 or into the arcuate "portion S V'iifllerey Vit will i be 'repeatedly 'hurled "agalsttl perforated plate `:49 until nit ultimately E"'falls into the jsmpd. "Manifesnyfsome of the "'Cttrl lWi-ll fall "directly into 'the A'SU'.rrIpffrom Pinie *perforated piste 4s, Il but much of it will 1 be' hiirled'a'gainsttlie plate severaltim'es before fall- Ainto the sump.

@From the sump`48, the icotton passes upwardly "through the inlet `conduit 94,5 through the suction "pumpZ, and vout through-the outlet conduit 96' into the cart or truck following theharvesting machine HJ. Y

l'lhus it is apparent l that there l has "been f`pro- Lfifioed shovel cotton-harvesting :machine which fulfills all' oftheobjeots'land advantages sought th'erefor.

`'Itl isextremelysimplcrin design with a" miniscription and the `accompanying ldrawings have "rbeen given onlyby way of illustrationand ex- 'ample,-an`d that changes-and alteratic'nsin the presentdisclosura `which will be readily apparent l to one Vskilled in l thel art, l are contemplated as "iwithin `the-sco'pe-of the present invention, which is limited only by the claimswhichfollow.

' What lis claimed is:

l1. A cotton harvesting-machine,comprising va #mobile housing havinga front end and a rear fend; #means for moving thehousing overa row foffcotton-'plants inra horizontal position;-at least 'la pair ofelongatedbrush-f supportingfmembersrotatably mounted within the housing adjacent the --ffront end thereof and extendingupwar'dly relative to! the housing and to the plane ofthe cot- `i`to`n-plants lwhen the machine is yin use,lboth of ffsaid members beingdi'sposed vat an angle relative #to the horizontal-axis of the housing so that the #upper ends thereof entend fforwardlyfrelative to `thehousingbeyond their lower'ends; a series `of lbrushesfextending# radially outwardly from said "br'ush supporting members; andm'ea'ns -for Avsimultaneously rotating said members-so that the lower "surfaces" theieofrotate towardeach otherin such` a manner that the ffor'ward ends of 4said brushes #engage the cotton plantsat the -topbefore engaging 'the lower portiona i '2. A cotton harvesting'machina-*comprising `a mobilehousing having a front endfand a rear end; 15

Y means forinovingfihs .nousingev'erf aibwfs'f fettton plants in a horizontal position; ja lpair":f^bi"u."sh supporting cylinders Vrotatably mounted ifwithin the housing adjacent the "frontend thereof, i's'ali'd cylinders extending upwardly relative "to the housing and tothe plane of fthelcotto'n plants when themachine is in useandibeing parallel `and disposed "at anan'gle to the horizontal -faxlis ofthe housing so `that the `upper ends thereof exsupporting cylinders being spaced aparttopfovide a passageway of predetermined widthbetween the tips `of opposedl brushes in such a manner that the forward ends 'of v'said' brushesfengage the cottonplants at the 'topibefore engagingfthe lower 1 portions.

y3. A'cotton harvesting machine, comprisingwa 'mobile housing having a forward `end andia'rearward end; means for moving the housingoverfa row of cotton plants in a horizontalpositiongal pair olf-spaced elongated brush supporting ineinbers rotatably mounted in the housing adjacent the forward end thereof; *means for simultaneouslyrotating said members; a l'plurality of brushes fastened to said members and extending radially outwardly therefrom Vin a spiral about the cylinder, said ynflembers"and brushes being positioned relative tothe housing-and to Athe 'plane of the Vcotton plants when themachine is in^use to strip the cotton from plants-passing between them and hurl it upward-lyjand rearwardly rela- `tive to the housing when themembers 4are-"retated; and sump-like means disposedrearwardly and beneath the-centers ofthe members to-'receive the hurled cotton.

4. A cotton harvesting' machine, comprising-fa mobile housing having a `forward endanda rearward end; means for moving the `housing `overa row of cotton plants in a horizontal position; a pair of spaced elongated brush supporting 'members rotatably Vmounted in thehousing-adacent the forward end thereof; means -for simultaneously rotating said members; `a plurality yof brushes fastened to said'members-and extending `radially outwardly therefrom, said members'and *brushes being positioned relative tothe housing and to the plane of the cotton plants'whenthe machine is in use to strip the cotton 'from `plants passing between them and'hurl it upwardlyand rearwardly relative tothe housing when the membersare rotated; sump-like meansdisposed rear- Wa'rdlyand `beneath the centers `of the4 rotatable members; and means disposed above said members for deflecting the hurled cotton downwardly and rearwardly toward said sumpflikefmeans.

5. A cotton harvesting'machinegcomprisingfa mobile housing having a forwardend and a rearwardend; means for moving the housing over `a row of cotton plants a horizontalpositionya pair of spaced elongated brush supporting mem bersrotatably mounted inthe housing adjacent the forward end thereof; means for simultaneously lrotating said members, ka `plurality Aof `Vbrushes fastened to said members and extending radially outwardly therefrom, "said members `and brushes being positioned relative to the housing and to the plane of the cotton `'plants `whenthe machine is in use to strip the cotton from plants passing between them and hurl it upwardly and rearwardly relative to the housing whenithemembers are rotated; sump-likemeans'disposed rear- Wardly and beneath the centers of the rotatable `members; and a perforated plate-like member disposed above said rotatable members for deflecting the cotton downwardly and rearwardly toward said sump-like means.

6. A cotton harvesting machine, comprising a s mobile housing having a forward end and a rearward end; means for moving the housing over a row of cotton plants in a horizontal position.; a

Ypair of spaced elongated brush supporting mem- `bers rotatably mounted in the housing adjacent the forward end thereof; means for simultam neously rotating said members; a plurality of ,openings in said plate-like member being of a size to prevent the passage of cotton therethrough, but to permit the passage oi' dust and some leaf trash.

7. A cotton harvesting machine, comprising a mobile housing having a forward end and a rearward end; means for moving the housing over row of cotton plants in a horizontal position; a

pair of spaced elongated brush supporting meni-- bers rotatably mounted in the housing adjacent the forward end thereof; means for simultaneously rotating said members, a plurality of brushes fastened to said members and extending radially outwardly therefrom, said members and,

brushes being positioned relative to the housing and to the plane of the cotton plants when the machine is in use to strip the cotton from plants passing between them and hurl it upwardly and rearwardly relative to the housing when the members are rotated; sump-like means disposed rearwardly and beneath the centers of the members to receive the cotton hurled from said members; and means for continuously removing the cotton from only said sump-like means while the harvesting machine is in operation.

8. Avcotton harvesting machine, comprising a mobile housing having a forward end and a rearward end; means for moving the housing over a row of cotton plants in a horizontal position; a

pair of spaced elongated brush supporting members rotatably mounted in the housing adjacent .the forward end thereof; means for simultaneously rotating said members, a plurality of brushes fastened to said members and extending Y radially outwardly therefrom, said members and .rearwardly relative to the housing when the members are rotated; sump-like means disposed rearwardly and beneath the centers of the members to receive the cotton from said members;

and means for removing the cotton from said sump-like means while the harvesting Ymachine is in operation including a conduit and a suction pump, said conduit having its inlet end positioned within said sump.

9. A cotton harvesting machine, comprising a, l

mobile housingy open at the front and having opposed side walls, a rear wall, and a concave bottom wall forming a sump; means for moving the housing over a row of cotton plants in a horizontal position; a framework including a top and bottom member adjacent the open front end of the housing, said framework being disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal axis of the housing and to the plane of the cotton plants when the machine is in use and extending downwardly and rearwardly from the upper part of the housing; a pair of elongated brush supporting members rotatably mounted between said top and bottom members; a plurality of brushes fastened to said rotatable mem-bers and extending radially outwardly therefrom, the brushes being arrangedin a spiral about each member; said brush supporting members being spaced apart to provide a passageway between the tips of opposed brushes; and shield-like members fastened to the framework at each side thereof for guiding cotton plants into said passageway, each of said shield-like members including an arcuate portion below a brush supporting member, and a panel-like portion fastened adjacent the inner edge of the arcuate portion and extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom.

l0. A cotton harvesting machine, comprising a framework adapted to be supported by a light truck or the like; a housing fastened to said framework and disposed to the rear and to one side thereof; a sump adjacent the rear end of the housing; wheels on the housing to support the same so that it can be moved over a row of cotton plants; a drive-shaft rotatably supported on the framework and extending tranversely in front said housing; a pair of spaced elongated brushsupporting members rotatably mounted in the housing in front of and extending above said sump; gear means between the drive shaft and said rotatablel members for simultaneously rotating the latter; a plurality of brushes fastened to said rotatable members and extending radially outwardly therefrom, said members and brushes being positioned relative to the housing and to the plane of the cotton plants to strip the cotton from plants passing under the housing and hurl it upwardly and rearwar-dly toward the sump; a suction pump supported on said framework; and an inlet conduit extending from the inlet of the pump into said sump beneath the centers of said brushes.

il. A cotton harvesting machine, comprising a framework adapted to be supported by a light truck or the like; a housing fastened to said framework and disposed to the rear and to one side thereof; a sump adjacent the rear end of the housing; wheels on the housing to support the same so that it can be moved over a row of cotton plants; a drive-shaft rotatably supported on the framework and extending transversely in front of said housing; a pair of spaced elongated brush-supporting members rotatably mounted in the housing in front of and extending above said sump; gear means between the drive shaft and said rotatable members for simultaneously rotating the latter; a plurality of brushes fastened to said rotatable members and extending radially outwardly therefrom, said members and brushes being positioned relative to the housing and to the plane of the cotton plants to strip the cotton from plants passing under the housing and hurl it upwardly and rearwardly toward the sump; a

erforated plate-like member across the upper end of the housing immediately above the brushsupporting members to deflect the cotton downwardly; a suction pump and means for operating it, supported on said framework; an inlet conduit extending from the inlet of the pump into said sump beneath the centers of said brushes; and an outlet conduit extending from the outlet of the pump to a point removed from the housing.

12. A mobile cotton harvesting machine, cornprising a housing having a forward end and a rearward end; means for moving the housing over a row of cotton plants in a horizontal position; cotton picking mechanism adjacent the forward end of the housing positioned to strip the cotton from plants passing under the housing and hurl it upwardly and rearwardly relative to the housing; sump-like means in the housing disposed rearwardly of and beneath the center of the picking mechanism; and a perforated baiile member having the upper surface thereof open to the at- 10 mosphere, disposed above the picking mechanism for passage of debris and dust therethrough and to deflect the hurled cotton downward into the sump-like means.

TEMPEL LEROY KINNE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 359,724 Hanks Mar. 22, 1887 526,209 Whitney Sept. 18, 1894 1,378,021 Gipson May 17, 1921 1,722,747 Hentz July 30, 1929 1,731,717 Friend Oct. 15, 1929 1,836,547 Onsrud Dec. 15, 1931 2,475,531 Townsend July 15, 1949 

